891 



ORDER 154. PHYTOLACCACE^S. 



116. Phytolacca. Six species; 11, 10, L. 



Phytolacca decandra. Poke, garget, crowberry, &c. Off. This 

 valuable plant possesses emetic, cathartic, and narcotic properties. 

 It is in great repute for the cure of rheumatism, the piles, cancer, 

 and a great variety of complaints. Farmers make much use of the 

 roots for rowels or setons, for their cattle and horses. The berries 

 are employed in tincture. For a more particular account, see dis- 

 pensatories, &c. 



ORDER 157. POLYGONACEJS. 



117. Polygonum hydropiper, oYpunctatum. Water pepper, smart- 

 weed, &c.; 9, 3, L. Fifty-three species of the genus. Off. This is 

 a biting, pungent diuretic, inflaming the tongue and skin, when ap- 

 plied to them. It is vermifuge, and highly stimulant. Infused in 

 wine, it is much used in gravel. It is said to cure ulcers in the mouth, 

 toothache, &c. The ashes make a soap, which Cutler says has been 

 a specific for the cure of stone in the bladder. A tea of the plant is 

 good in coughs and colds. Cattle will not touch the plant. Snakes 

 avoid it, and it kills fish. An infusion of it is a powerful promoter 

 of urine. Raf. It is singular that, wherever geese are kept, this 

 plant abounds. Formerly they roamed in Deerfield Street, and the 

 plant covered the whole street. But, since they are not suffered to 

 run at large, the plant is not found here. 



118. Polygonum fag opy rum. Buckwheat. An infusion of this 

 plant is useful in erysipelas, used externally and internally. 



119. Rumex. 6, 3, L. 



Rumex acetosella. Sorrel ; sorrel dock. The leaves have an 

 agreeable acid taste, and are refrigerant, antiscorbutic, and diuretic. 



120. Rumex crispus. Curled dock. Off. The medical properties of 

 the various species of dock are mildly astringent, bitter, and tonic, 

 and also laxative. They are valuable in scorbutic and other eruptions. 

 At one time, they were thought to be a specific in the cure of the 

 itch, and cancers. According to Rafinesque, the roots contain sul- 

 phur, starch, oxalate of lime, &c. 



ORDER 173. PYROLACE^I. 



ORDER 173. PYROLACEJB. 

 121. Pyrola. Altered to Chimaphila. Seven species ; 10, 1, L. 



